Mysuru: Spelling Bee – Season 2, organised at Columbia Asia Hospital here recently, saw an overwhelming participation by senior citizens.

Apart from engaging the senior citizens in quizzes and various fun games, the event also brought them together on a common platform. In the spelling competition, around 103 people battled it out in the preliminary round and eight participated in the finals.

Dr. Maqsood, Consultant- Neurosurgery, Columbia Asia Hospital, was the chief quiz master. Dr. Venugopal, Consultant – Neurologist, Columbia Asia Hospital, was the guest of honour. Prof. Mahadeva, English Professor at University of Mysore, was the judge.

H.N. Nandeesh, a chemical engineer, who emerged as the winner of Senior Spelling Bee, bagged the cash prize of Rs. 7,000 while K.L. Nagaraju, a consultant in an International School, was the first runner-up and got a cash prize of Rs. 3000. Both were also awarded with a Columbia Asia branded trophy and certificate. All participants received a free membership for Columbia Asia Hospital’s Senior Care Programme.

This initiative is in line to raise awareness about increasing mental illnesses amongst the elderly population, said Dr. Maqsood.